Yankees Q&A: Eric Chavez, utility player

View full sizeKim Klement/US PresswireEric Chavez played 13 seasons for the Oakland Athletics, winning two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger, before signing with the Yankees last year.

Eric Chavez slipped quietly into New York last year, accepting a minor-league contract knowing he’d have to prove to the Yankees he was healthy if he wanted to make the team. Considering Chavez had not been on the field consistently since 2006 due to back and shoulder problems, this was far from a sure thing. After hitting .263 with 26 RBI in 58 games, and proving he could still play a little third base, Chavez is back for a second season with the Yankees. At 34, he is relishing each moment, even as he reflects on the days when he was the Oakland Athletics’ only big-money player.

1. You were with the A’s for 13 years. Did you see ‘Moneyball’?
Yeah, I didn’t like it. The way a lot of things (were) portrayed just wasn’t correct. But I will say, I thought Brad Pitt did a great job with Billy (Beane). He was spot-on with his character. But some of the things, I mean, they just didn’t happen.

2. the A’s were portrayed as a ragamuffin team. In reality, you were in your prime. So was Miguel Tejada, Jermaine Dye, Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder. What did you think of that?
It just wasn’t entirely correct. They wanted to turn it into a feel-good story. I mean, was Scott Hatteberg a good player? Yeah, he was. But, in reality, that was a good team with good players and some really good pitching.

3. Did it at least bring back good memories of that time in your career?
I guess. I have really good memories. I didn’t need a movie for that. I’m happy for Billy that the movie was done, and he got the credit. But for the players, I think we would have liked to have seen it to be portrayed as it really was. If you’re going to do a movie about that 2002 season, then I think it should be correct.

4. This offseason, were you sure you’d be back playing again?
No, not at all. I wasn’t really sure, but for the most part I was thinking I would not be playing. I was doing what I had to do. I was hitting and throwing, but I didn’t really expect to be playing. Then they called, two weeks before spring training.

5. So, you were surprised?
Well, you don’t have something until you have something. We had talked to Chicago a little bit, and that was interesting because spring training is right where I live. That would’ve been convenient, and I liked the situation. But ultimately, I liked it here last year. And to have a chance to win and go back to the playoffs trumps everything.

6. You made some nice contributions to the Yankees last season. Are you satisfied with the way you performed and the opportunities you were given?
Up until I broke my foot in spring training, it was going perfectly. I was able to come back and have a decent year. I was committed to a part-time role. If you go into a situation where you’re fighting it mentally, thinking, “I’m better than this” or you think you need or deserve more at-bats, you’re going to struggle.

7. Do you ever look back and curse the bad luck that cost you so many games?
No, you take the blows and you keep moving. When I was young, they told me it was going by fast, to make sure to enjoy it. Well, I’m enjoying the game a lot more now at the tail end of my career. I realize there are not too many days ahead, so I’m trying to enjoy them. I wish I could have embraced it earlier, but I guess that’s life.

8. You signed a six-year deal in Oakland for $66 million. That was unheard of in Oakland. Did that end up adding a lot more pressure?
Yeah, when I signed that deal, we were losing guys left and right. And I was the guy in that lineup that was expected to produce. It was such a tough situation.

9. Where do you stand now? are you going to take it year to year?
Day to day (laughs). I’m really happy here, so we’ll see. Early on in my career I was quoted as saying I’d never play in New York, so it’s ironic how much I’ve enjoyed it. I had no idea what it was really like. I live in the city, and I’m really loving it.